Riding-stirrup.



T UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIoE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 12, 1905.

Application filed January 21,1905. Serial No. 242,119.

To aZZ whom, it uny concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED E. SoUTHwoRTH, a citizen of the United States, residing at smuggler. in the county of San Miguel and State of Colorado, have invented a new and useful Riding-Stirrup, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to riding-stirrups, and has for its object to cushion the same in a simple and improved manner, so as to materially remove strains from the legs of the rider.

Another object of the invention is to efiect automatic turning of the stirrup when mounting and dismounting, thereby to maintain the stirrup in the proper relation for mounting, and thus obviate the necessity'of turning the stirrup into position to receive the foot every time it is desired to mount. WVhile it is designed to permit turning of the stirrnpwhen mounting and dismounting, it is also designed to prevent accidental turning of the stirrup when mounted and when dismounted, thereby to maintain the stirrup in proper relation whether mounted or dismounted.

With these and other objects in View the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes in the form, proportion, size, and minor details may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a stirrup embodying the features of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the hanger for the stirrup.

Like characters of reference designate corresponding parts in each and every figure of the drawings. 7

lVhile the present invention relates to riding-stirrups, the improvement resides in the hanger therefor rather than in the stirrup proper, and therefore it will be understood that any preferred or approved form of stirrup may be employed-such, for instance, as an ordinary substantially U-shaped stirrup, (designated 1 in the accompanyingdrawings,) which may be open at the front and rear or provided with a guard across the front thereof, as may be desired- The hanger of the present invention includes a yoke or substantially U-shaped member 2, the base 3 of which is provided in its under side with a longitudinal groove or seat 4 and also with a transverse groove or seat 5, intersecting the longitudinal seat at substantially right angles. side of this base is'convexeol or beveled from its middle toward its opposite ends, as indicated at 6, so as to form a cam under surface.

At the intersection of the grooves or seats 4 Moreover, the under and 5 there is a circular opening 7 which rotatably receives the upstanding stem 8 of a cylindrical cross-bar 9, which is of a size and shape to alternately lie in the seats 4 and 5. Each end of the cross bar 9 is provided with a reduced threaded portion 10, with the stirrup 1 hung from these portions and held thereon by means of nuts 11. The stem 8 is threaded at its upper end and. receives a nut 12, having a pendent cylindrical flange or extension 13, telescoping with an annular flange 14:,rising from the base 3 concentrically with the opening 7 A helical spring 15 embraces the stem 8 and bears in oppo site directions against the base 3 and the under side of the nut 12, whereby the crossbar 9 and the stirrup are yieldably hung from the hanger 2. A wear-plate or washer 16 in the nature of a ring slidably embraces the stem 8 and is interposed between the top of the spring 15 and the under side of the nut, there being corresponding grooves or ballraces formed in the washer and the nut to receive the antifriction-balls 17. A cross-bar 18 pierces the upper ends of the sides of the hanger 2 and is held in place by nuts 19, there being an antifriction roller or sleeve 20 loosely embracing the bar between the sides of the hanger and designed to lie in the loop or bight portion of the usual stirrup-strap 21.

When the rider is dismounted, the stirrup is in the relation shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with the cross-bar 9 in the longitudinal seat 4: of the hanger, whereby the hanger and the stirrup are in the same vertical plane, with the stirrup at substantially right angles to the length of the horse. It'will thus be understood that when dismounted the stirrup is always in position to receive the foot for mounting, and when the rider places his weight upon the stirrup the latter will yield sufficiently to clear the cross-bar 9 from the seat 4, and as the rider vaults into the saddle the stirrup will turn with his foot into the proper position for riding, and when the rider is seated in the saddle and his weight removed from the stirrup the spring 15 will automatically snap the eross-bar9 into the seat 5, and thereby lock the stirrup in riding position. In dismounting the reverse operation takes place, wherefore it will be understood that the turning of the stirrup from dismounted position to riding position, and vice versa, is automatically accomplished by the foot of the rider, and the stirrup is always held positively in one position or the other. When dismounted, the stirrup is always in position for mounting, and thus it is not necessary to take hold of the stirrup and turn the same every time it is desired to mount.

A very important feature of the invention resides in the cam or beveled under face of the base member 3 of the hanger, which prevents binding of the cross-bar 9 when turning from one position to the other and tends to snap the same into the seat 4 when'turning from the seat 5. resides in the housing of the spring within the flanges 13 and 14, so as to protect the latter and the ball-bearing from the effects of the weather.

Having fully described the invention, what is claimed is- 1. A riding-stirrup comprising a hanger, a stirrup swiveled upon a vertical axis upon the hanger, one of these members being provided with seats at substantially right angles to one another and the other member having a part for alternate engagement with the seats to lock the stirrup against accidental rotation in its opposite positions, and a spring to yieldably maintain the hanger and stirrup members in locked engagement.

2. A riding-stirrup comprising a hanger, a substantially horizontal cross-bar mounted to rotate upon a substantially vertical axis intermediate of its ends, a stirrup hung from the cross-bar and movable therewith, seats provided upon the hanger at substantially right angles to one another for the alternate reception of the cross-bar to lock the stirrup at its opposite limits, and a spring to yieldably maintain the cross-bar and the stirrup in locked engagement.

3. A stirrup comprising a hanger, a stirrup yieldable vertically thereon and mounted to Another important feature rotate upon a substantially vertical axis, one of these members being provided with seats at substantially right angles to one another and the other member having a part to alternately engage the seats and lock the stirrup at its opposite limits, the stirrup being yieldable to break the interlocking connection between the stirrup and the hanger and permit rotation of the stirrup, and a spring to yieldably maintain the stirrup and hanger in locked engagement.

4. A stirrup comprising a hanger, a stirrup including a cross-bar having an upstanding headed stem rotatably piercing a portion of the hanger, and a spring interposed between the head of the stem and the hanger to yieldably support the stirrup, and means to interlock the stirrup with the hanger in opposite positions of the stirrup.

5. A stirrup comprising a hanger having a vertical opening, a stirrup having a stem projected through the opening, a head upon the stem, a helical spring embracing the stem and bearing in opposite directions against the head and the hanger, a washer loosely embracing the stem between the spring and the head, and antifriction devices interposed between the head and the washer.

6. A stirrup comprising a substantially U-shaped hanger having an upright opening piercing the base and surrounded by an upstanding annular flange, a cross-bar connecting the sides of the hanger, a stirrup having a cross-bar provided with an upstanding stem rotatable within the opening of the hanger, the under side of the hanger having seats disposed at substantially right angles for the alternate reception of the cross-bar of the stirrup, a nut upon thestem and having a pendent annular flange telescoping with the flange of the hanger, and a spring embracing the stem and bearing in opposite directions against the nut and the base of the hanger.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own have hereto afiEixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ALFRED E. SOUTHNORTH.

Witnesses:

M. L. BROWN, E. W. GILKnRsoN. 

